Remove 500 encroachments in Nemilichery Lake area: NGT

CHENNAI: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Chengalpet collector to issue eviction notices to more than 500 encroachments identified in and around Nemilichery Lake area in Chrompet.
The tank, which was originally spread over 34 acres, has been reduced to less than 10 acres now and during the lockdown, miscreants dumped construction waste into the water body. NGT Southern Zone, which took suo motu cognizance of the issue, formed a joint-committee to study the problems and suggest solutions to restore the lake.
During inspection, the panel noticed encroachments on the entire length of the tank bund and in the east, west and northern side of the water spread area of the Nemilichery tank.
They also found the tank water getting polluted due to the inflow of sewage mixed with excess rainwater from Pallavaram municipal area. And the residents in the fringe of the water body were also found dumping the solid waste.
Meanwhile, analysis of water samples collected from the lake at government labs suggested that the total coliform and faecal coliform levels exceeded the prescribed levels.
So, the committee directed erstwhile Pallavaram Municipality (presently Tambaram Corporation) to plug all unauthorised sewage discharge points and provide community soak pits at vulnerable points to prevent the flow of sewage into the tank.
When this case came up for hearing on May 5, the tribunal wanted action against squatters in the forms of houses and commercial complexes identified by the PWD earlier.
The collector has been told to submit the action-taken report before the next hearing of the case on May 17.